The Lens Artists Challenge hosts bring us the seasons for the month of July with #105 this week, Tina’s spring challenge.
New Zealand is halfway through winter and spring is on it’s way. Buds are fattening, shoots are pushing through cold soil and we’re planning a spring road trip. Last year, we hopped on a plane 2 days before spring started and landed in Canadian autumn for a long awaited holiday.

It was the first of our bucket list of trips. Might be the last too, for a good while at least. We’ll be staying home for the foreseeable future.

New Zealand appears to have COVID 19 under control – for now. Even though there are new cases coming across our border, isolation and quarantine seem to be working. It has been more than 70 days since our last recorded community case.

There appears to be optimism in the business world too, kiwis are travelling in their own country, seeing their own backyard and we’re supporting local manufacturers and small businesses. Something good has come out of closed borders, we’re thinking locally.

Overseas based kiwis, COVID refugees are flocking back to the country in their thousands every week, rushing home from virus hot spots. New Zealand is a safe haven from the storm brewing out in the world. Returnees endure two weeks of managed isolation before integrating into our healthy population, a strategy to keep the virus out and enable our economy to function.

It’s never been a better time to be a kiwi. With over 13 million cases of COVID19 and half a million deaths worldwide, our little islands are the best place in the world. Even our neighbour Australia is struggling with a second wave and Melbourne is faced with another 6 weeks of lockdown. In Aotearoa/NZ, life looks almost normal but it could still change in a moment. We’re not out of the woods yet, the future is uncertain.
Take care and stay safe everyone.
We read often of NZ’s success in fighting the virus and are happy to see that it CAN happen. Sadly we still have way too many Nay-sayers here in the US along with young people who are unconcerned. It looks like the US is going to be in this thing for a long time. You are in the beginning of spring in more ways than one Wendy. We hold out hope that the rest of us will soon follow
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We are, Tina. But it’s too soon to celebrate our success. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? I wish you well. Take care, stay safe.
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You are so lucky, living in a small, secluded island that has the best opportunities to stay sane. We have seen that small island nations stand the best chance. Iceland here up north is also free of it for the moment. Play safe and well – and you will manage all right further on as well. ♥ May spring arrive soon!
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Thank you Ann Christine. We sure are lucky and I feel it every time I watch the news. I can feel spring is just around the corner. You stay safe too xx
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💚
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Nice photos and thoughts. The storm sky is stunning.
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Thanks John.
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Beautiful images.
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Thank you Rupali. Hope you are safe and well.
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Thanks.
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Oh wow, I just love tulips!! They are the first to show up, even if it is still coldish out. Such beautiful flowers!
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They are gorgeous and make you feel like warm weather is almost here. Thanks for joining me. 🙂
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Hi, Wendy. Your fight against covid truly is a cause for celebration and a model for other countries. I hope your country stays the course and you all stay healthy!
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Thanks Patti. We’ll keep trying. I hope you stay well too.
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